Peripheral regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Katarzyna Sznurkowska; Małgorzata Boćkowska; Maciej Zieliński; Katarzyna Plata-Nazar; Piotr Trzonkowski; Anna Liberek; Barbara Kamińska; Agnieszka Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz

doi:10.18388/abp.2017_2308

Katarzyna Sznurkowska Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2502-0027
Małgorzata Boćkowska Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Provincial Center of Rheumatology in Sopot
Maciej Zieliński Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk
Katarzyna Plata-Nazar Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk
Piotr Trzonkowski Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk
Anna Liberek Faculty of Health Sciences with Subfaculty of Nursing, Medical University of Gdansk
Barbara Kamińska Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk
Agnieszka Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18388/abp.2017_2308

Keywords: T-regulatory cells, Interleukin 10, Transforming Growth Factor β1, juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic, heterogenous inflammatory disease of unclear pathogenesis. JIA is hypothesized to be linked to a defective immune regulation. Anti-inflammatory cytokines belong to the best known regulatory factors. T-regulatory cells are a crucial cellular component of immune tolerance. One of their functions is synthesis of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1).The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of T-regulatory cells (CD4⁺CD25^highFOXP3⁺) in peripheral blood, and serum levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-10 in patients with JIA.Methods: The study included 25 patients with newly diagnosed JIA: oligoarthritis (n=17) and polyarthritis (n=8). Control group was comprised of 17 healthy children. CD4⁺CD25^highFOXP3⁺ T cells in peripheral blood were quantified by means of three-color flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of TGF-ß1 and IL-10 were estimated with ELISA.Results: The proportion of peripheral CD4+CD25highFOXP3+cells in patients with JIA was significantly higher than in the controls (p=0.04). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of their TGF-ß1 and IL-10 concentrations.Conclusions: At the time of the diagnosis, children with JIA present with elevated proportion of T-regulatory cells (CD4+CD25highFOXP3+) in peripheral blood. Anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-ß1, are not upregulated in the serum of patients with JIA, and therefore should not be considered as biomarkers of this condition.

Author Biographies

Małgorzata Boćkowska, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Provincial Center of Rheumatology in Sopot

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Maciej Zieliński, Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk

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Katarzyna Plata-Nazar, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk

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Piotr Trzonkowski, Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk

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Anna Liberek, Faculty of Health Sciences with Subfaculty of Nursing, Medical University of Gdansk

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Barbara Kamińska, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk

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Agnieszka Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk

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